20 Jan 2018 21:21:23
Was thinking earlier today, do we take Valencia for granted? He reminds me so much of Irwin in that he's a constant 8/ 10 performer at least, but really doesn't get much praise, particularly from the media, fellow professionals, etc. I have a feeling that it's only once he's gone, we'll truly appreciate just how good of a RB/ WB he is.
20 Jan 2018 22:25:54
Couldn't agree more.
20 Jan 2018 21:55:08
unless we replace him with a RB that gets to the opposition byline and can pick out a cross, maybe we will realise how limited he was.
20 Jan 2018 22:53:18
Valencia is not very good defensively imo. He is good at the raw parts of the game like Jones and Rojo are, but his positional sense is shocking, his end product is often limited as well and his ability to think past the 2nd or 3rd ball is woeful (basically I don't think he has a footballing brain) . His pace does get him out of a lot of problems, but against quality we get found out and he is a major issue. Doesn't happen often, but if we release more midfielders forward he is an issue.
I like him, he is a very good squad player - but we are a very defensive team on the whole which helps cover up a lot of the weaknesses we have back there. Whenever a team attacks us properly we look all over the place, player like Blind, Rojo, Smalling and Jones to some degree are also flattering to deceive because of our defensive shape. He is no Dennis Irwin for me, more of a less injury prone and less rash Rafael, without the technique Rafael had.
21 Jan 2018 00:13:51
Probably the most consistent player we have had in recent years. Rarely if ever puts a foot wrong. Say what you want but a defender defends first and foremost and he has always given an option going forward to it. Spectacularly underrated by United fans. Anto V has been a great player for us.
21 Jan 2018 00:18:32
Maybe then that explains some of Jose's more pragmatic techniques. He knows most of his defenders are somewhat limited but has to make fo with what he has until he can bring in better.
21 Jan 2018 00:26:52
LVG ruined Toni. He seems obsessed with not losing possession, and stifles/ slows down even more attacks than Mata. That said, he is a very steady and safe right back and is far better defensively than young.
Would love to see Tuanzebe get some game time at right back.